{stories and snapshots from my new york city life.}

11.15.2010

Butternut Squash Lasagna

I still can't get over the fact that Thanksgiving is next week. How'd that happen, anyway? Seems like one day you're trying to keep a Fudgesicle from dripping down your chin and the next week you're elbow-deep in pumpkin guts. For the last few years, I've celebrated Thanksgiving with my boyfriend's family here in Queens, where a few things can be counted on as yearly traditions. 1) There will be at least 20 people there, (2) at least two out of the seven children will lose a tooth or stain an article of clothing, and (3) lasagna will be served as the first course. I'd bet the farm on it, if I had one.

You might be wondering if I plan on fixing Butternut Squash Lasagna for this year's gathering. What are you, crazy?  Serving traditional meat and ricotta lasagna is their family tradition, and you don't mess with another family's tradition. Plus, I'm not in the business of fixing what ain't broken. Vin's mom makes kick-ass lasagna. 

But so does my girl Giada, and consequently, me. If you're absolutely certain you won't be stepping on anyone's traditional toes, I'd recommend sitting this square in the center of your Thanksgiving table.

1. Roast peeled, cubed butternut squash with olive oil, salt and pepper.

2. Whip up a deliciously delectable bechamel sauce. 

3. Pulse basil in a food processor and stir it into the bechamel. The squash also gets a whirl in the processor with a few amaretti cookies for a touch of sweetness.

4. Begin constructing the lasagna in layers. Toss shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan between the layers of the basil bechamel and the pureed squash.

There's a real nice mix of textures and flavors in this baby.


I may be the only blogger in history to photograph two-day old leftovers, but I assure you this tasted better than it looked. Plus, everybody knows that Thanksgiving is really all about the leftovers anyway.

19 comments:

  1. This sounds delicious. I love everything that includes butternut squash. Maybe this will inspire me to cook.

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  2. Love it! Jenn, I love how real you are. The leftover pic is my favorite, simply because it's leftovers. It sounds amazing. I sometimes wish I had a farm to bet too.

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  3. hahah! Two days old still looks delish. I've been waiting for you to share this recipe! Didn't you serve it for your spooky supper? I can't wait to try this one out as I love butternut squash everything!

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  4. Roxy--I did, and it went over very well! It's a great dish to make for a crowd as it makes a whole lot and it's crazy rich and filling so you don't have to serve a bunch of sides to round it out.

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  5. omg so yummy. i think that might be my thanksgiving dinner!

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  6. This looks great! I love that you photographed two-day old leftovers. I'd still eat it!

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  7. 2 day leftovers or not, that looks delicious. I may try this for dinner this week. I haven't made lasagna in ages, but it's one of my favorite dishes.

    Kendra
    http://closetconfections.com

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  8. that looks really really good!! i need to try this (and by "I," I do mean "make my husband cook me this!") :) thanks for sharing!

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  9. Oh Goodness, that looks absolutely delicious!

    besos,

    ML

    Win a Yola Couture Designer Dress at:

    20 YORK STREET

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  10. Two day leftovers, doesn't matter. I bet lasagna only tastes better.
    There's a place near me that does butternut squash lasagna with bechamel sauce. Yours looks even better than theirs!

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  11. Ooh, snap...this is getting made ASAP! I am going to try this Giada stuffing for a Thanksgiving party. I will let you know how it goes.
    http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/ciabatta-stuffing-with-chestnuts-and-pancetta-recipe/index.html

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  12. We made this exact recipe for Thanksgiving last year, and it was by far the most popular side dish! So very good! Thank you for sharing, love. May peace and beauty shower down this week!

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  13. what a lovely dish! looks so yummy :) this is my first time dropping by so I just wanted to say hi!

    - the runaway

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  14. This looks sooooo good!! I'm really hungry now...

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  15. i love butternut squash:) and this dish looks so good. thanks for sharing this.

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  16. i want to try it but I am the only person that likes Butternut Squash.

    Peace
    Missy
    http://throughanindielens.blogspot.com/

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  17. Um. This looks amazing. I am definitely printing out this recipe and putting it on my fridge...right next to the Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe you posted a little while back!

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  18. omg. this sounds incredible. i've been eating sweet potatoes non-stop so this recipe will come in nicely as an alternative. :)

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